FalconCam: Updates

May 21, 2015

Hello peregrine fans!

Welcome to our new camera! The view is much clearer now that we have installed a new fish-eye camera. Now that the eaglets are getting ready to fledge, we have new fuzzy chicks to watch. Two of the four eggs have hatched. The female is the same bird (Jill) that has been at this box for several years. She is a tough female. She lost part of her beak two years ago in a territorial battle. She has adjusted to this handicap enough to successfully feed herself and her chicks. The male is new this year and he is unbanded, so you can tell the male and female apart by the bands on the female's leg. We will be updating again once the other two eggs hatch. Have a great memorial day weekend!

June 11, 2013

Hello Falcon Cam Watchers!

This is a difficult update to give and I cannot believe I am having to be the bearer of bad news regarding eggs - again. The peregrine's eggs are not going to hatch. They should have hatched on or around May 22nd and by now, it is weeks past this time. Unlike the eagle nest eggs that did not hatch, these eggs did not freeze. It did not cold enough in this box for the eggs to have frozen. We suspect that the new mate that Jill mated with was either infertile, or just not experienced enough to produce chicks. Jill, the female, has been successfully raising chicks at this box for more than 10 years. We witnessed the entire process on camera last year, and it is unfortunate that there will not be chicks this year.

This unfortunate reality reminds us that our natural world is very unpredictable, fragile and vulnerable. Wildlife of all kinds encounter many obstacles throughout their lives. We can be very grateful that the peregrine population is still very vital in the Twin Cities and many pairs around the state are successfully raising chicks right now.

Check our website for links to other peregrine boxes with cameras and chicks to watch. We will likely turn the feed for this camera off soon. It will be re-activated in January or February of next year. Thank you so much for your interest in the peregrine cam and for your continued support of the Nongame Wildlife Program! Remember to visit us on Facebook! We will inform you of any additional cameras or on-camera activities. Until then, have a great summer!

Friday, April 19

Hello Peregrine Fans!! Welcome to our new Peregrine Falcon Camera!

Once pushed to the brink of extinction, the peregrine falcon has made a steady recovery in the United States. Once down to only a few pairs in Minnesota, peregrines have returned to Minnesota’s skies and their natural habitat, including Minnesota’s bluffs, cliffs and buildings.

Starting April 16, live video from a nesting pair of peregrine falcons in downtown St. Paul will be featured on the DNR’s website. Last year, 2012, a video camera was installed in a nesting box at the top of the Bremer building, downtown St. Paul. With the help of Sentinel property management and the tenants at the Bremer building, the live video is now available for the public to view the box that has been in place since 1987. Peregrines first used this box in 1988 and have been raising young here ever since. The female has already laid one egg and will lay up to four more in the coming days.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to watch peregrines raise their young in an urban setting” said Carrol Henderson, Nongame Wildlife Program Supervisor. “It is exciting to watch the birds first-hand, in their normal habitat, without disturbing them”.

The peregrine camera was paid for by DNR’s Nongame Wildlife program, which is largely funded by donations, especially those made when Minnesotans file their state income and property taxes. The lines on the Minnesota income tax form and property tax form, marked with a drawing of a loon, give taxpayers the option to donate to the program, a feature often referred to as the “chickadee check-off.”

The Nongame Wildlife program works to protect and preserve more than 800 species of animals in the state that are not traditionally hunted or harvested. In addition to peregrine falcons, populations of species such as bald eagles, trumpeter swans, loons, and American white pelicans are directly benefited by contributions to the Nongame Wildlife check-off. Citizens can personally help Minnesota wildlife by donating on their tax forms, or donate directly online at mndnr.gov/nongame/checkoff.

Tuesday, April 16

The FalconCam is so cool! How can I help wildlife in Minnesota?

This peregrine camera is brought to you by the Minnesota DNR's Nongame Wildlife Program, which helps over 700 species of Minnesota wildlife thrive. The program is largely supported by donations from people like you.